Fastening-inverting mechanism



Jan. 11, 1938. T. H. SEELY FASTENING INVERTING MECHANISM Filed June 18,1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 11, 1938. sEELY 2,105,377

FASTENING INVERTING MECHANISM Filed June 18, 1936 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Jan. 11, 1938 irr. STATES FASTENING-INVERTING MECHANISMApplication June 18, 1936, Serial No. 85,883

26 Claims.

, This invention relates to mechanisms for inverting fastenings, andparticularly to those by which nails, screws or the like are receivedwith their heads or points arranged in one direction and are so turnedthat they are oppositely positioned.

Fastening-distributing apparatus, of which an example is disclosed inLetters Patent of the United States No. 1,948,499, Bertrand, February27,1934, are organized to deliver successive loads, each made up of adefinite number of fastenings. Each load leaves the distributor with allits fastenings arranged with the heads or points in the same direction.In the machine by which the fastenings are to be utilized, it may bedesirable to receive said fastenings oppositely arranged. The presentinvention therefore has as an object the provision of a simple mechanismby which successively received fastenings or groups thereof may beinverted by applied forces which make certain the eifect sought, thismechanism being of such a character that danger of clogging, isminimized. This object I attain by the employment of a movable memberhaving a receiving surface in constant fastening-receiving relation toan inclined delivery-tube or conduit, the member being movable in adirection opposite to the inclination of the-conduit to effect theinversion. The movement of the inverting member is preferably one ofrotation and is best continuous, and

its fastening-receiving surface is smooth and unbroken. A stop extendingover the receiving surface may be used to limit the movement of thefastenings over such surface upon their discharge from thedelivery-conduits, and the inverted fastenings may be received byconduits opening below the member. Since the fastenings are ordinarilysupplied in loads, a plurality of both the delivery-conduits and thereceiving conduits with their associated stops are provided, allco-opcrating with a single inverting member. Two forms of the invertingmechanism are especially effective. One has a cylinder rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis, while the other utilizes a plate turningabout a substantially vertical .axis. In the first form, the cylinder isshown as having a groove, a delivery-conduit depositing the fasteningsin the groove, while a stop extends intothe groove. The plate appears asprovided with a downwardly and outwardly inclined marginal surface,which receives the fastenings from a delivery-conduit and has a stopextending over it. Whatever form is employed, the engagement of thereceiving surface of the I movable member applies to the deliveredfastenings a constant mechanical force, as distinguished from themereefiect of gravity, through which force their inversion is brought about;and the mechanism is entirely free from fastening-re-. ceiving pocketsand from passages with angularly 5 related walls, both of whicharrangements are liable to cause clogging. Great simplicity results,from the use of a single movable element constantly actuated in onedirection only, With-, out the inclusion of cams or other wear-pro- 10ducing actuating means.

In the accompanying drawings, twoof the several possible embodiments ofmy invention are illustrated. Here,

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section through 15 one form;

Fig. 2, a full, longitudinal section on the line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of 'thesecond form, and 20 Fig. 4, a vertical,transverse section on the line IVIV of Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, we have a casing l0 arranged to be securedupon the frame of a fastening-distributor or upon the machine by 25which the fastenings are to be used. The casing has a horizontal,cylindrical bore, and within this is arranged to turn afastening-inverting cylinder I2 carried by a horizontal shaft M. By thisshaft, the cylinder may be rotated in the direc- 30 tion of the arrow inFig. 1 in synchronism with the elements of an associated distributor(not illustrated), which delivers the fastenings to the invertingmechanism. In the cylinder is shown a series of circumferential groovesl6 situated side 35 by side, while there may be registering grooves l8in the casing forming therewith passages for the fastenings. Leadinginto each passage I6, l8, at approximately the highest portion, throughthe top of the casing is a short passage 20 to which 40 delivers a tubeor conduit 22 by which fastenings are conducted from the distributor tothe inverting mechanism. The upper portion of the tube is shown asvertical, but, as it approaches the casing IE, it turns by a gradualbend until it 45 enters the passage 29 at 24. Both this portion of thetube and the passage are inclined downwardly and forwardly in adirection opposite to the rotary movement of the adjacent portion of thecylinder, being substantially tangential with re- 50 spect to thecylinder-passage. At the bottom of the casing is a shortdelivery-passage 26, from which leads a tube 21 arranged similarly tothe tube 22 with a tangential portion 28 but opening from the casing atthe opposite side of a vertical 55 shown in Fig. 3.

.of the plate and just at the rear sponding stop-projection.

plane through the axis of rotation. Through a longitudinal slot in thecasing near its top is clamped a bar 30 having projections 32 extendinginto the cylinder-grooves i8. These projections furnish stops located inthe paths of the fastenings as these are discharged from the passages 2tand are at the upgoing side of the cylinder.

In the operation of the mechanism, each of the series of passages andtubes functions in precisely the same manner and may be reduced ormultiplied in number in accordance with the requirements of the machinesupplied. Power being applied continuously to the shaft l4, and thecylinder l2 thus being in rotation, fastenings, shown in the presentinstance as nails N, fall points down from thedistributor through thetubes 22 and are directed by the tube-portions 24 and thecasing-passages 2i! tangentially into the cylinderand casing-passagesl5, it. They are positively prevented from falling down the passages attheupgoing side of the cylinder by the stop-projections 32. Thefastenings are then carried by the frictional engagement of thecylinder, with ample clearance for their free movement but heldagainstlateral displacement by the grooves, over the cylinder-top and arethereby inverted. At the downgoing side, they fall heads down betweenthe inclined surfaces of the cylinder and casing under the influence ofboth gravity and the engagement of the rotating cyl-.

inder, until they arrive at the passages 2'6. Into these and thetangentialtube-portions 28 they are urged by their momentum and theeffect of the cylinder and are delivered by the tubes 21 to the machinetojbe supplied. I

vIn the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4,

.the actuatingshaft 4E3 of the inverting member 42 is vertical. Themember appears as a dished plate, from a depending skirt 44 of whichprojects in a generally horizontal direction a marginal-flange 48. Uponthe upper side of this flange is a downwardly and outwardly inclinedfastening-receiving surface 48. Spaced uniformly about the circumferenceof this surface are fastening-delivering tubes 50. The circumferentialdimension of the surface 48 is such that it will operate properly uponfastenings of the length which are to be supplied for the number whichconstitute each load. ,The delivery-tubes of this mechanism resemble thetubes 22 previously described, being inclined downwardly to points abovethe inverting surface 48 in a direction opposite to the rotation of saidsurface produced by the shaft 4!], as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3.They arepreferably approximately tangential to the skirt 44 of the plateand terminate a sufiicient distance above thesurface 48 to permitfastenings thereon to pass freely beneath them. Surrounding the flangeis a cylindrical wall 52, and radially from this wall stop-projections54 extend over the surface. There is one of these projections for eachof the tubes 58 spaced forwardly from the next delivery-tube of the.se-.

ries with respect to the direction of rotation of the plate. Between theprojections are spaces of ample length to receive in each a fasteningdelivered by a tube 5! The relation is clearly Carried in a base-plate55, from which the wall 52 rises, is a series of receiving tubes 55, onefor each delivery-tube. The opening of each receiving tube is just belowthe outer edge of the flange 45, in advance of the opening of itsdelivery-tube in the direction of rotation of the corre- Screws S areshown in Figs. 3 and 4 as being inverted. They descend, points first,through the tubes 5i] and are delivered therefrom upon the surface 48,being limited in their discharge-movement by the stops 54 toward whichthey are projected. When the mechanism is applied to the inversion of aplurality of screws, the stops prevent interference between screwsdelivered by different tubes. The rotation of the plate carries thedelivered screws, in a direction opposite to that of their reception,along the inner surface 58 of the wall 52 beneath the delivery-tubes,until they reach the openings of the corresponding receiving tubes 56.Into these they .fall, heads down, to the machine to be supplied. Travelof each'of the screws with the-surface 48 beyond the receiving tubewhich is individual to the tube by which it is delivered may beprevented by the projection 54 adjacent to each receiving tube. Theseprojections screws into the proper receiving tube, while the vwall E52,limiting movement down the inclined surface '48, holds them in thecorrect outward positions for delivery. I

While I have chosen to describe one embodiment of this invention asapplied to the inversion of headed nails and the other to screws, it isto be understood that neither is thus limited but may be utilized foreither purpose or for other types of fastenings, as cut-nails, whichhave no marked heads.

Having described my invention, .what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

LA fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a fastening-deliveringconduit, a rotatable member having a surface in constantfasteningreceiving relation to the conduit, a conduit re ceivingfastenings fromsaid surface, ,andmeans for rotating the membercontinuously in one dircction to deposit the fastenings inverted in thereceiving conduit.

'2. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a movable member having asmooth, continuous fastening-receiving surface, a conduit deliveringfastenings to the receiving surface and to which said surface is at alltimes presented, a conduit receiving fastenings from said surface,andmeans for moving the member to deposit the 'fastenings inverted inthe receiving conduit.

3. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a movable member having afastening-receiving surface, a fastening-delivering conduit inclineddownwardly to a point above the receiving surface of the member, andmeans for moving the member with the delivered fastenings upon thereceiving surface in a direction opposite to the inclination of theconduit to effect inversion of the fastenings.

4. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a movable member having afastening-receiving surface, fastening-delivering conduit inclineddownwardly to a point above the receiving surface of the member, a stopextending over the receiving surface and toward which the conduitdelivers the fastenings, and means for moving the member with thedelivered fastenings upon the receiving surface in a direction oppositeto the inclination of the conduit to effect inversion of the fastenings.

5. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a movable member having afastening-receiving surface, a fastening-delivering conduit inclineddownwardly to a point above the receiving surface of the member, a stopextending over the deflect the Lil receiving surface at one side of thedeliveryconduit, a fastening-receiving conduit opening below the memberbetween the delivery-conduit clined downwardly to a point above thereceiv-. illg surface of the member, a fastening-receiving conduitopening below the member, the receiving surface of said member beinginclined'toward the receiving conduit, and means for moving the thedelivered. fastenings upon the ace in a direction opposite to the memberwith receiving surf inclination of the conduit.

7. A fastening inverting mechanism comprising a movable member havinga'continuous fasteningreceiving surface, a fastening-delivering conduitconduit having opening to which the receiving surface of the memberdelivers.

8. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a movable member having acontinuous fastening- -receiving surface, a fastening delivering conduitopening above the receiving surface and inclined theretoward in a,direction opposite to the dire tion of movement, a fixed wallsurrounding the receiving surface, and a stop projecting from the wallover the receiving surface.

9. A fastening-receiving mechanism comprising a rotatable member, meansfor rotating the member continuously in one direction, and a series offastening-delivering conduits opening above the member, each conduitbeing inclined downwardly toward the member in a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation.

10. A fastening-receiving mechanism comprising a rotatable member, meansfor rotating the member continuously in one direction, a series offastening-delivering conduits opening above the member, each conduitbeing inclined downwardly toward the member in .a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation, and a stop associated with each conduit toreceive contact of the corresponding iastenings upon the member.

11. A fastening-receiving mechanism comprising a rotatable member, meansfor rotating the member continuously in one direction, a serie offastening-delivering conduits opening above the member, each conduitbeing inclined downwardly toward the member in a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation, a stop associated with each conduit toreceive contact of the corresponding fastenings upon the member, and areceiving conduit individual to each delivery conduit and stop.

12. A fastening-inver 'ng mechanism comprising a cylinder rotatableabout a substantially horizontal a tube inclined downwardly to deliverto surface of the cylinder about its entire circumference, and means forrotating the cylinder in a direction opposite to the inclination of thetube.

13. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a cylinder rotatableabout a substantially horizontal axis and provided with a. grooveextending about its entire circumference, a tube inclined downwardlytoward the groove to deliver fastenings thereto, and means for rotatingthe cylinder'in a direction opposite to the inclinatio of the tube.

14. A fastening-receiving mechanism comprising a casing, a cylinderrotatable in the casing about a substantially horizontal axis andprovided with a circumferential groove, a fastening-delivering tubeopening through the easing into the groove in a direction substantiallytangential to the cylinder, and means for rotating the cylinderoppositely'to the direction of introduction of the fastenings throughthe tangential tubes.

15. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a cylinder rotatableabout a substantially horizontal axis and provided with acircumferential groove, a tube inclined downwardly toward the groove todeliver fastenings thereto, a stop projecting from the casing into thegroove and toward which the tube delivers, and means for rotating thecylinder in a direction opposite to the inclination of the tube.

16. A fastening-inverting mechanism cornprising a casing, a cylinderrotatable in the casing about a substantially horizontal axis andprovided with a circumferential groove, a fastening-delivering tubeopening through the upper portion of the casing into the groove in adirection substantially tangential to the cylinder, a substantiallytangential tube receiving fastenings from the groove at the lowerportion of the casing, and means for rotating the cylinder oppositely tothe direction of entrance of the fastenings to the casing.

17. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a casing, a cylinderrotatable in the casing about a substantially horizontal axis andprovided with a series of circumferential grooves, an inclinedfastening-delivering tube opening through the upper portion of thecasing opposite each groove, a fastening-receiving tube opening throughthe lower portion of the casing opposite each groove, and means forrotating the cylinder oppositely to the direction of inclination of thedelivery-tubes.

18. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a casing, a cylinderrotatable in the casing about a substantially horizontal axis andprovided with a series of circumferential grooves, an inclinedfastening-delivering tube opening through the upper portion of thecasing opposite each groove, a fastening-receiving tube opening throughthe lower portion of the casing opposite each groove, means for rotatingthe cylinder oppositely to the direction of inclination of thedelivery-tubes, and a stop-bar carried by the casing and having aportion extending into each cylinder-groove.

19. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a plate rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis, a fastening-delivering tube inclineddownwardly to a point above the plate, and means for rotating the platein a direction op posite to the inclination of the tube.

20. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a plate rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis and having an outwardly and downwardlyinclined surface, an inclined tube delivering fastenings to saidsurface, means for rotating the plate to carry the fastenings oppositelyto the direction of inclination of the tube, and a fastening-receivingtube opening below the inclined surface of the plate.

21. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a plate rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis and having an outwardly and downwardlyinclined surface, an inclined tube delivering fastenings to saidsurface, means for rotating the plate to carry the fastenings oppositelyto the direction of inclination of the tube, and a wall surrounding theplate and having a projection extending above the inclined surface.

22. A fastening-inverting -mechanism comprising a plate. rotatable abouta substantially vertical axis and having an outwardly and downwardlyinclined fastening-receiving surface, an inclined tube deliveringfastenings to the receiving surface, means for rotating the plate tocarry the fastenings oppositely to the direction of inclination of thetube, a fastening-receiving tube opening below the inclined surface ofthe plate, and a wall surrounding the plate and having a projectionextending above the inclined surface of the plate and toward which'thedelivery-tube directs the fastenings.

23. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a plate rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis,. a series of fastening-delivering tubesarranged circumferentially of the plate and inclined downwardly towardits upper surface, and means for rotating the plate in a directionopposite to the inclination of the tubes.

24. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a plate rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis, a series of fastening-delivering tubesarranged circumferentially of the plate and inclined downwardly towardits upper surface, means for rotating the plate in a direction oppositeto the inclination of the tubes, and a .posite to the inclination of thetubes, a circumferential series of fastening-receiving tubes, therebeing a receiving tube situated in advance of each delivery-tube in thedirection of rotation of the plate, and a fastening-stop extending overthe plate between each pair of adjacent tubes.

26. A fastening-inverting mechanism comprising a rotatable plateprovided with an outwardly and downwardly inclined marginal surface; awall surrounding the plate and provided with a series of spacedprojections extending over the inclined surface, a series offasteningdelivering tubes inclined downwardly to points above themarginal surface at one side of the projections, means for rotating theplate in a direction from the series ofprojections toward thecorresponding delivery-tubes, and a series of fastening-receiving tubes,each opening below the plate between the end of a delivery-tube and thecorresponding projection.

THOMAS H. SEELYi

